Funny things from novice hunters
- Thread starter Africa Huntress
- Start date
Outstanding posts I loved them. I pretty much stay away from sporting goods stores or any such kind of outlet. I have found the sales people more interested in selling their highest priced items and lack the necessary knowledge to appropriately advise the customer. To many times I have seen a first time hunter being pimped to buy the super magnum with the 50 power scope, for a 3 day deer hunt. Several years ago I was asked to leave a store after taking a customer aside and telling him what he really needed rather than what he was being sold.
elkhunternm
Handloader
- Jan 10, 2017
- 525
- 0
Or a .30/06! 
6mm Remington
Ammo Smith
- Feb 27, 2006
- 5,259
- 648
Amen!elkhunternm":34l5qc8q said:Or a .30/06!
Though of another one too good not to share. I used to occasionally man the counter at a friend's pawn and gun when the owner went away on other business. A gentleman cam in, looking for .303 Savage ammunition. A rare bird, even on the internet, definitely not in stock on our shelves. He was quite crestfallen that we did not have it, as it was 1 week before deer season and he was looking forward to hunting with his new boss using his .303. He was so set on making the hunt work, that he asked if he might be able to trade the rifle on something easier to feed. Always interested in picking up a nice 99 for the shop, I was prepared to fire the owner a picture and make the guy an offer on the spot. We had a plethora of suitable hunting rifles in common calibers that would be a good trade for a decent 99 with some profit for the shop. Guy walks in with a sporterized (nicely done) P14 "enfield". He was happy to learn that we could supply ammunition for that one, and after a quick headspace, bore and functionality test, that he had a fine and interesting hunting rifle in his possession already. I sent him on his way with 2 boxes of soft points and a coupon for the local sight in day at the gun club down the road along with some free safety glasses and foam earplugs. The internet can be a dangerous thing. That's where he learned his rifles caliber, and somehow conflated the Savage and SMLE rounds.
I recently ran into him on a jobsite, and the hunting bug took with him. He tagged a nice buck that year, and has expanded his arsenal and knowledge of firearms significantly since then.
I recently ran into him on a jobsite, and the hunting bug took with him. He tagged a nice buck that year, and has expanded his arsenal and knowledge of firearms significantly since then.
35 Whelen
Handloader
- Dec 22, 2011
- 2,237
- 516
Better not get started on old hunting story's.......... the thread could go on for years.........lol
Here is one I call " the long shot hunt".........
We had an unforgetable hunter, come Moose hunting with us, a few years ago. That hunt produced a very unique experience for me.Although the following story isn't funny ; I believe most brothern in the hunting fraternity, will be able to appreaciate it :wink:
Anyway this fellow told me , That in fact; he was not really," a hunter" at all, But his Dad was? However his father had died 30 years ago, But apparently had always spoke of his dream of going to Newfoundland to hunt Moose. Of course unfortunately, he never was able to get there. The son had of course inherited his Dads old Model 740 Remington auto loader and some ammo. The gun had not been fired since the early 1970's, So he shows up with it; and a box of old cartridges marked" Newfoundland Moose" circa 1950's in 220 gr. When I asked him how it shot,He told me his dad had told him it was" dead on at a undread"...... And to take good care of it, But that in fact ,he had actually had never fired the gun since the father had passed away! When I suggest ,"we better try it", he refused and said he was certain it was fine??? Which I found pretty unusual.
He then claimed he had put in to draw a Moose tag every year since his father's passing, hopeful maybe someday,he could forfill his Dads dream.
Anyway on opening day we called a Medium 45" bull in for him out in Burbie BK bog, less than one hour into the hunt. I told him I was sure we could do Better if he wanted to hold out; but he informed me he would be more than happy with this moose, it was roughly about a hundred yards from us. He snaped the safety off on that ancient Woodsmaster rifle, with open sights, and as if he had taken dozen of heads of game with it, he calmly let one of those 65 year old 220gr bullets fly; and made the most perfect shot you ever saw, killing that young bull instantly. However I could not stop thinking, what has just happened? Was his "old man" right there with us, watching down on him????(who was actually doing the shooting)
I can tell you there was a might unusual feeling in the fall air that morning..........almost seamed like a hush had come over the bog......
Those old Corelokts had finally done exactly what his Dad had Intended them to do. He told me it was one of the greatest thrills of his life. But when I asked him about the gun, he told me he will likely never fire it again.
Call it silly, call it weird but the hair stood up on the back of my neck as we walked over to that bull and he sat that old rifle on that bull........you would of had to have been there.
Here is one I call " the long shot hunt".........
We had an unforgetable hunter, come Moose hunting with us, a few years ago. That hunt produced a very unique experience for me.Although the following story isn't funny ; I believe most brothern in the hunting fraternity, will be able to appreaciate it :wink:
Anyway this fellow told me , That in fact; he was not really," a hunter" at all, But his Dad was? However his father had died 30 years ago, But apparently had always spoke of his dream of going to Newfoundland to hunt Moose. Of course unfortunately, he never was able to get there. The son had of course inherited his Dads old Model 740 Remington auto loader and some ammo. The gun had not been fired since the early 1970's, So he shows up with it; and a box of old cartridges marked" Newfoundland Moose" circa 1950's in 220 gr. When I asked him how it shot,He told me his dad had told him it was" dead on at a undread"...... And to take good care of it, But that in fact ,he had actually had never fired the gun since the father had passed away! When I suggest ,"we better try it", he refused and said he was certain it was fine??? Which I found pretty unusual.
He then claimed he had put in to draw a Moose tag every year since his father's passing, hopeful maybe someday,he could forfill his Dads dream.
Anyway on opening day we called a Medium 45" bull in for him out in Burbie BK bog, less than one hour into the hunt. I told him I was sure we could do Better if he wanted to hold out; but he informed me he would be more than happy with this moose, it was roughly about a hundred yards from us. He snaped the safety off on that ancient Woodsmaster rifle, with open sights, and as if he had taken dozen of heads of game with it, he calmly let one of those 65 year old 220gr bullets fly; and made the most perfect shot you ever saw, killing that young bull instantly. However I could not stop thinking, what has just happened? Was his "old man" right there with us, watching down on him????(who was actually doing the shooting)
I can tell you there was a might unusual feeling in the fall air that morning..........almost seamed like a hush had come over the bog......
Those old Corelokts had finally done exactly what his Dad had Intended them to do. He told me it was one of the greatest thrills of his life. But when I asked him about the gun, he told me he will likely never fire it again.
Call it silly, call it weird but the hair stood up on the back of my neck as we walked over to that bull and he sat that old rifle on that bull........you would of had to have been there.
I'm sure I made a few mistakes when I was a newbie, but I seem to have blocked them from memory. However, I do remember one of my cousin's epic fails.
Cousin was a young lad, just starting to deer hunt. I would guess that he was about 10 or 12 years old. Ohio was shotgun-only at that time. My uncle gave him an 870 pump, put him on stand, and told him to stay there while he walked out around the hillside to drive the deer back toward him. Uncle jumps a buck and it runs toward my cousin, but there are no shots. Turns out, when the buck came running by my cousin pumped all 5 rounds out of the gun, without pulling the trigger. He didn't live that one down for some time. :grin:
Cousin was a young lad, just starting to deer hunt. I would guess that he was about 10 or 12 years old. Ohio was shotgun-only at that time. My uncle gave him an 870 pump, put him on stand, and told him to stay there while he walked out around the hillside to drive the deer back toward him. Uncle jumps a buck and it runs toward my cousin, but there are no shots. Turns out, when the buck came running by my cousin pumped all 5 rounds out of the gun, without pulling the trigger. He didn't live that one down for some time. :grin:
rjm158
Handloader
- Oct 15, 2009
- 709
- 650
In regard to advice given by sporting goods store employees, several years ago my wife and I were in one of the BIG chain stores and were looking at youth rifles for her. She currently has a Remington Model 7 in 260 and wasn't needing a replacement but if one caught her eye it might leave with us.
A salesman came up and asked if he could help and I told him what we were looking for. He handed over several samples and when I mentioned what her current rifle is, he said "Oh, you don't want that. You need a 243." I asked why and he said, "It's better than a 260." I asked how it was better and he said, "It just is." More conversation revealed his son had a 243 for sale and he suggested we meet after the store closed (several hours away) so we could look at it. We declined and left, making sure that I remembered his name and face so that we didn't ever deal with him again.
Ron
A salesman came up and asked if he could help and I told him what we were looking for. He handed over several samples and when I mentioned what her current rifle is, he said "Oh, you don't want that. You need a 243." I asked why and he said, "It's better than a 260." I asked how it was better and he said, "It just is." More conversation revealed his son had a 243 for sale and he suggested we meet after the store closed (several hours away) so we could look at it. We declined and left, making sure that I remembered his name and face so that we didn't ever deal with him again.
Ron
35 Whelen,
That is quite the experience you had with that hunter. Your instincts were founded in that your experience and training told you everything about that scenario was wrong and shouldn't be trusted. But you did not argue with the hunter or force him to do otherwise.
While in the scenario, your hunter had complete faith in his father, the rifle and the loads his father had made for this specific purpose. He didn't waiver from his faith. In the end, everything came together and the spirit of the hunter's father was there looking over his son on the moose hunt with his rifle, that ended in complete success.
In our culture we are taught to honour our ancestors and their teachings, and that our belief in the teachings and the lessons of the ancestors will provide for us in our journey (in whatever form that journey takes). This story leads me to believe that this was the case in this scenario. This would have been a powerful medicine event that you witnessed and were a part of. The hush over the bog and the sensation you felt as you walked up on that moose was that power that you were experiencing. Very cool!
That is quite the experience you had with that hunter. Your instincts were founded in that your experience and training told you everything about that scenario was wrong and shouldn't be trusted. But you did not argue with the hunter or force him to do otherwise.
While in the scenario, your hunter had complete faith in his father, the rifle and the loads his father had made for this specific purpose. He didn't waiver from his faith. In the end, everything came together and the spirit of the hunter's father was there looking over his son on the moose hunt with his rifle, that ended in complete success.
In our culture we are taught to honour our ancestors and their teachings, and that our belief in the teachings and the lessons of the ancestors will provide for us in our journey (in whatever form that journey takes). This story leads me to believe that this was the case in this scenario. This would have been a powerful medicine event that you witnessed and were a part of. The hush over the bog and the sensation you felt as you walked up on that moose was that power that you were experiencing. Very cool!
c. schutte
Handloader
- Jan 24, 2012
- 578
- 0
I get where the son was coming from. In his mind there was only one purpose for that rifle and to take a few shots prior would have spoiled the event for him. I'm pretty sure the dad was there all right guiding his son with every movement.
Thanks for sharing that story. It's one that I'll remember.
Thanks for sharing that story. It's one that I'll remember.
35 Whelen
Handloader
- Dec 22, 2011
- 2,237
- 516
Blkram, very well said! You obviously understand that all completely..................
Ditto c schutte, you are all over it as well
Thanks to all for kind words everyone. Guess I might as well tell the rest of the story............ As we approached the moose I noticed he was shaking quite alot, he looked the bull over: And then he finally looked over at me, I immediately then
noticed that there were a steady stream of tears, driping off his jawbones on both sides! Of course; that in turn ,brought quite a lump in my throat, seeing him that way.......To be honest ,I am pretty sure ,my eyes were not bone dry either................. :| It had taken years for him; to pull it off: And it was a huge deal, between him and his Dad. Well we got it done, even though it took close to 40 years! Its a hunt I wont soon forget.
Ditto c schutte, you are all over it as well
Thanks to all for kind words everyone. Guess I might as well tell the rest of the story............ As we approached the moose I noticed he was shaking quite alot, he looked the bull over: And then he finally looked over at me, I immediately then
noticed that there were a steady stream of tears, driping off his jawbones on both sides! Of course; that in turn ,brought quite a lump in my throat, seeing him that way.......To be honest ,I am pretty sure ,my eyes were not bone dry either................. :| It had taken years for him; to pull it off: And it was a huge deal, between him and his Dad. Well we got it done, even though it took close to 40 years! Its a hunt I wont soon forget.
The best things come to those that wait...and makes the adventure and accomplishment all the more memorable.
When I read your story to my wife, it brought tears to her eyes as well.
A very powerful and moving story that even those that were not there can relate to and share in! I know that we'll remember it for a long time to come. Thank You!
When I read your story to my wife, it brought tears to her eyes as well.
A very powerful and moving story that even those that were not there can relate to and share in! I know that we'll remember it for a long time to come. Thank You!
35 Whelen
Handloader
- Dec 22, 2011
- 2,237
- 516
Welcome......
Thankful Otter
Handloader
- Oct 8, 2012
- 783
- 97
Great Story Earle, thanks for sharing it
